PETA and Tribal Government's Objections

I've got my disagreements with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, but I have even greater disagreements with the way Principal Chief Michell Hicks has been handling their objections over the bear pits in Cherokee. While the article done by the Sylva Herald has what could be expected with the retired Price is Right Host Bob Barker making his allegations and statements along with responses from those who own the bear zoos, I found this to be particularly disturbing: "Hicks also said he will ask the tribal council to ban PETA from the reservation since they have spread fliers and other materials without a business license."
I've long argued that the Hicks administration has no respect for the First Amendment rights of tribal members. When he acts in such a manner, he bolsters my point. If a tribal member wants to associate with PETA, that tribal member has every right to do so. I hope that the current Tribal Council has enough sense to oppose such a proposal, and I hope Attorney General Annette Tarnawski, who lives in an area where her First Amendment rights are protected and respected, has enough integrity to step back from such a proposal.
Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Indian Civil Rights Act. For such a ban to happen, tribal government will have gone way too far.
For those who may feel it isn't a big deal since it's PETA and may not like what PETA has to say, remember this quote from Martin Niemöller, a German pastor jailed for opposing Nazi control of the churches: "First they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me."

Meet Joe Martin and Diamond Brown in Murphy Saturday

Voters will have a chance to meet me and Diamond, talk to us, ask us questions and share some food this Saturday from 3 - 6 p.m. at the Murphy School of Dance, 281 Tennessee St, Murphy, NC. Come join us.

Update - Diabetes and Tribal Health Funding

We were able to pick up test strips from the Cherokee Diabetes program today, however that doesn't necessarily mean the program is financially strong. Other programs in the Tribal Health and Medical division may also be facing difficulty. Staff at the Cherokee Community Indian Clinic told me that they're having budget problems as well. That's not comforting given the number of elders in our community and that there's still at least two months left in the fiscal year.

Let's Hope This is Just One Serious Temporary Setback

Easternband.com has posted that the tribal Diabetes Program is out of money. Normally when I read some things on this site, I wait to see what pans out. This time the admin of that site, Bill Killian, has experienced it himself after it was brought to light. Despite being dangerously low on insulin, his refill was left out of his regular meds when he picked them up from his dialysis appointment. Bill's always been honest with me, even with heated disagreements. So I have no reason to doubt this.
I hope this is just a temporary setback. Too many tribal members have no health insurance, and while some who don't can get Medicaid, there's still a huge gap between those who can get insurance and those whose income is low enough to qualify for Medicaid. It bears repeating that far too many tribal members have diabetes. Even a temporary setback is disastrous.
There is Indian Health Service, however, if tribal members who depended upon the tribal diabetes program had some kind of warning ahead of time, those tribal members could've prepared and made arrangements with Cherokee Indian Hospital. But tribal government seems to prefer giving tribal members the illusion that everything is wonderful rather than tell them the truth, even if it means jeopardizing their lives.
This is inexcusable. Tribal government needs to address this issue immediately, and I mean on Monday. If they don't, then every Tribal Council member needs to be removed from office, and Larry Blythe and Michell Hicks definitely don't deserve third terms.

The Price is Wrong for Bear Displays and Chief Hicks

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
The long-time game show host for the Price is Right Bob Barker has set his sights on something that has long drawn the ire of both animal rights activists and regular tourists alike for years, the bear displays in Cherokee. Principal Chief Michell Hicks has been targeted for a letter writing and email campaign, much to his chagrin.
While there are many aspects of tourism in Cherokee that have left me with a sour stomach, the bear displays have been one of them.
I'm not opposed to displays of bears per se, but I do think they need the best living conditions they can be given, and I'm turned off by what I've seen at least at two of the bear zoos.
I do have to express irritation at one aspect of this whole issue. Alleged mistreatment of bears has gained all kinds of media attention, but losing $60 million of the tribal youth's money, violations of civil rights and elected officials disregarding the need for financial stability to pad the chief and vice chiefs' retirement plans has barely registered on the mainstream media's radar.
More power to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Bob Barker. Their efforts to shake up an irresponsible government over a perceived injustice to non humans have been much more successful than those at home who've sought to hold their elected representatives accountable for injustices against humans and even draw attention to those injustices.

Joyce Dugan to Take Over Cherokee Central Schools

Former Principal Chief Joyce Dugan has been hired to take back over the Cherokee Central School System. Dugan, when I was hired as editor of the One Feather, told me that she was dedicated to hiring educated tribal members for certain positions, and I did see a certain attention paid to hiring qualified tribal members for certain positions with certain requirements then. The tribe has gotten away from that as political connections and family ties now take precedence over talent and credentials.
I've had great concern about the quality of education at Cherokee Central Schools. Too few graduates go to college, and of those too few are attending the best colleges they can get into. Other issues about test scores, and readiness for college still remain. The school system is a remnant of a federal government-run educational system designed to make Native Americans second-class citizens. With the problems that have gone unresolved, it appears that the current way of doing things is designed to do the same thing.
Dugan has a mess to clean up, and it won't be solved by new school buildings. It will take years to undo the damage that's been done the past few years, caused by problems tribal and school leadership failed to address. I wish her the best, and I certainly hope to see real improvements.

Martin Endorses Brown

With the results of the primary election done and over, I would like to officially endorse Diamond Brown and encourage voters to cast their ballots for him along with myself.
Brown has demonstrated leadership abilities and a respect for Cherokee culture that I feel will benefit the position well. With my experience, credentials, education and background combined with Brown's drive, integrity and decency, I feel that the two of us can be a great asset for Cherokee County and Snowbird, and that we can give our two communities the representation that they deserve.